Bob Barnes is a University of Delaware graduate and former Army MP. In 1992, while serving as a Newark Police Officer he authored "History of Newark Police Department." (He retired from the Newark Police Department in 1999.) Bob has co-authored "Press, Politics and Perseverance", a biography of Newark Post founder, Everett C. Johnson, and “History and Heritage of Pencader Hundred.” He has served as Historian of Pencader Heritage Museum since its opening in 2007. He continues his research while also using his talent as a carpenter to build display cabinets, updating the building and maintaining our educational signs program. Bob sees to it that the museum is constantly a welcoming environment. He is diligent about finding the FACTS of history rather than the FOLKLORE and is generous about sharing this history. So, if there is anything you would like to know about our history, Bob is your "go-to" person.

William Conley has been married to his wife Marsha for 50 years. They have three boys and 8 grandkids. Bill was an educator, retiring after 38 years as a Christina School District Administrator, teacher and coach. He saw active and reserve duty with the US Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Two tragedies, the untimely death of their 42-year-old son, Brian, from a brain tumor and their oldest son,Army Major Kevin Conley,becoming 100 percent disabled in Afghanistan, have driven the Conley family to focus on helping veterans. Bill co-founded Warriors Helping Warriors of Delaware, making a path to transition from military to civilian life. Bill also founded the Brian Conley Resiliency Center in Middletown, a home for veteransmoving from homelessness to independent living.Bill has been on our board since 2003.

Linda Duffy is extremely dedicated and a spunky perfectionist who attacks all projects with contagious excitement. She loves to do research to enhance every display. She is knowledgeable, humble, kind, funny and generous. She is a retired surgical technologist and certified cardiac sonographer. Her deep love of historyled her to earn a degree in American History from the University of Delaware. She has owned and operated an antique store and served as an interpreter and curator at The Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation while studying textile conservation. Her specialization has been in the social history of women in mid-Victorian America, studying fashions, health, beauty, education, marriage and family. She has significant collections of women’s clothing and accessories from the early 1800s and has displayed and lectured on these artifacts frequently at universities, libraries, conferences, seminars and museums. Linda has long been a participant in Colonial and Civil War living-history events, making her own accurate reproductions of uniforms and other clothing for which she has won awards. Linda is a member of the 26th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Re-enacting Group and since 2015, curator of our museum.

Born in PA, Valerie was raised as part of a military family. Her parents served in the Army, primarily stationed in Germany. Her creative outlets are many and she is always finding new ways to express herself through arts and crafts. When she moved to DE in 1988 she opened a small, K-12 umbrella home-school group. She also quickly connected to organizations through which she had the pleasure of serving...Delaware Academy of Science, Friends of Iron Hill, Civil Air Patrol, AFJROTC, Amazing Grace Ministries, the Food Bank, Paris Foundation, Good Neighbors, 1 in 7B, and now the Pencader Heritage Museum. She has also volunteered with several churches and communities for clean-ups, blood drives, youth events, stewardship programs, and events that create community. She was employed as a financial planner, enjoying helping people make good choices with their money. She also served as an advocate for the elderly. Eventually she became involved in local government advocating for the needs of friends. In November 2010, she became confidential Legislative Assistant to 11th District Councilman, David Tackett. In November 2022, Valerie was elected to the 5th District Council position. Through the years, she developed a passion for educating others about how their government works and how they can best become part of the governing process. She is excited to represent her constituents. Valerie believes we are here to be stewards of the earth and its inhabitants, to care for one another with whatever talents and gifts we have, and to remember and learn from the past so we can make better choices in the future. Valerie is married and has 3 children and 1 grandchild.

Mary "Molly" Inzeo moved to Delaware at the age of 7 and has considered herself a Delawarean ever since. Her parents instilled a love of the written word in her from a very young age. She inherited a love of handcrafts from her maternal grandmother. Teaching herself to knit as a young teen was the first step in a decades-long study of hand-spinning, weaving, and the history of textile production. She received a BA from St. John's College in Annapolis, MD where she studied the great works of Western literature, philosophy and the history of math and science. She holds a certificate in Bookkeeping from the NACPB. Molly is currently an adjunct staff member at The New School, a private day-school in Newark. She is also a sitting board member of the local non-profit Omnia Humanitas. She lives in Newark with her re-enactor husband and four young children. Molly joined our board as Treasurer in January, 2020.

Keith Jackson is a Delaware native who has lived in Pencader Hundred and the Newark area most of his life. He has been happily married to his high school sweetheart since shortly after their graduation. He has one daughter and one grandson who shadows "Grampa" every chance he gets. Keith is a small business owner and carpenter by trade. Working on renovation or restoration projects on old houses and structures brings him in close contact with one of his great loves, history. Keith is a kind, respectful go-getter. If the museum is open, you will likely find him there. Look for the red-beard. Don’t hesitate to introduce yourself and ask questions. He is never too busy to discuss old buildings and the diverse history of the Pencader Hundred area. He started volunteering at the museum in 2017 and became vice president in 2018. Since January 2019 he was served as President of the Board of Directors. His sense of humor keeps everyone smiling and his enthusiasm for life-in-general is an inspiration to all.

Michal Jackson is the second oldest of 8 children. She was born and spent her early childhood in a small town in the mountains of southwestern PA. Looking for a better life and job, her father moved the family to Newark when Michal was in 6th grade. She was in the first graduating class of the then brand new Christiana High School. She and husband, Bill, have two sons, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Retired now, Michal worked for over 40 years as an administrative assistant and executive administrator. She loves organization and efficiency but is also flexible. She loves people and finds joy in helping others. She loves teamwork, is goal-oriented and prefers to work “behind the scenes.” Michal joined us in January 2020 as Secretary of the Board of Directors.

Bio Coming Soon

Bio Coming Soon

James Stone moved to the Pencader area in July 2011 and joined our board in December 2015. Interested in local history since he was a child, James is an author, researcher, Revolutionary War re-enactor and collector of historic documents. He is a stickler for details when it comes to historical stuff. He makes all his own colonial uniforms by hand, from purchasing the correct fabric and making the pattern to sewing it all together. He even makes the buttonholes by hand! He has presented lectures on local historical figures and facts regarding the Revolutionary War and assists with events at the museum. James is always happy to share his knowledge and is interested in learning from others.

Ed Wirth is a retired mechanical and professional engineer with degrees from Lehigh and Penn State Universities. He is a US Army veteran of the Korean War, specializing as a Multiplex Map Compiler. He has wide experience in community endeavors in PA and DE and is the recipient of a Jefferson Award. He has also been recognized by the Delaware Legislature for his civic service. He is currently treasurer of both Newark Senior Center Computer Club and Delaware 50+ Volunteers. The latter organization recognized him for over 3500 hours of volunteer service. As a resident of Newark, he has served in several appointed city board positions. Ed has been with our museum from its inception in 2007, served as past president and was involved in obtaining use of our present building.